The grassroots campaign against the East African Crude Oil Pipeline that united African and global climate activists against TotalEnergies.
Pipeline Threat
The East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP)—1,443 km from Uganda to Tanzania—would be Africa’s longest heated crude oil pipeline. Led by TotalEnergies, it threatened Lake Victoria water sources, wildlife reserves, and would displace 100,000+ people. Environmentalists warned it would produce 34 million tons of CO2 annually and lock East Africa into fossil fuel dependency.
Ugandan Activist Leadership
Ugandan and Tanzanian activists led #StopEACOP, facing government intimidation and arrests. In 2021, hundreds of students were arrested for protests. European NGOs amplified their voices globally. The campaign targeted banks financing the project—Standard Bank, ICBC, and others withdrew. Insurance companies refused coverage.
International Solidarity
By 2022-2023, major banks and insurers had abandoned EACOP due to reputational risk. TotalEnergies struggled to secure financing. The Vatican, European Parliament, and UN human rights experts opposed the project. Despite obstacles, construction began in 2023. The campaign showed transnational climate solidarity but also limits of activism against state-backed fossil fuel projects.
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